From Captain Bill Doherty, KB1VAA

[D.J.J. Ring, Jr.]

SS African Planet, back- loading exotic cargoes in East or West Africa, proudly flying our Stars and Stripes.

Arrive in Africa after a twenty-odd day Ocean passage from the US East Coast, with hatches full of America's bounty.

Many, no "most", of the essential commodities, that we brought over, had the same unique "Hands Across the Oceans" stencil on it. Every item, had ONE single common label "Made in USA" proudly attached.

It felt good, to be part of the sharing of America's abundance with fellow occupants of our "Planet". There was, and still is, just as much joy and reward, in giving, as in receiving.

In those days, America was known, and appreciated, as the "Bread-Basket of the World ", and we were happy to share our blessings, with those, less fortunate.

It took several weeks to discharge our generosity, in these still rather "primitive " African ports. Many of these Ports of call lacked the infrastructure, to provide piers and harbor facilities to discharge our cargo alongside.

Instead, we would arrive in these "outback" destinations, anchor in a place close enough for small boats and barges, some powered by motors, many, still propelled by wind and sail.

Cargoes that we're loaded in East Coast ports in less than a week, with America's technological resources, of cranes, forklifts, railroads and highways, could take over a month to discharge, at anchorages, utilizing, at best eighteenth century technology.

These were ports, lacking any level of recreational facilities for our Shipmates, during these long discharges and "back loads".

There was however, one very welcoming flag flown, in just about every one of these ports, offering the best haven for my Shipmates and me.

That was, and still is, the "Flying Angel" flag of the Missions to Seafarers.

In these "Clubs" we were welcomed with hospitality and services, not available anywhere else in the ports. Food, drink, and companionship of fellow Seafarers from all the countries of the world.

I recall, fondly, the Flying Angel clubs in ports like Dar Es Salam, Tanzania, and Mombasa, Kenya, where staff took personal interest in us.

Essential items, like toothpaste, shaving cream, soap and shampoo, that our fellow citizens, back home took for granted, were only available at the "Clubs".

The gratitude for the services and hospitality of those Flying Angel clubs, were responsible for my devoting a significant part of my life to serving as Executive Director of Mariners House in Boston, many years ago, giving back to Seafarers in need, what was so freely given to me.

Having discussed our deliverance of America's bounty to these African Nations, back then in the 1960's, I would be remiss, if I did not acknowledge, the contribution that these African Nations gave back to America.

America's abundance, would not be possible, without essential Natural Resources, not available at home.

That's where the "Backloading" came in.

Africa had an abundance of essential resources such as coffee, tea, copper, cotton, wool, and exotic spices. One other thing to remember, was that this was during the "Cold War" years.

Some essential items, during the Nuclear Age, depended on resources such as radioactive "Petalite" iron ore. We would back load that, under the supervision of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Staff, to assure security and safety.

My most memorable and exotic commodity, were the "cloves" we loaded in the storybook Island of Zanzibar.

As we crossed the Equator, on our twenty day passage, heading home, our cargo hatches would heat up, and the distinctive aroma of these cloves, would permeate the entire ship.

Those days are gone, but NEVER, the memories.